Op Sindoor legacy of Guru’s valour: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor reflected the bravery and sacrifice embodied by Guru Tegh Bahadur, who regarded the protection of truth, justice and faith his dharma and sacrificed his life for it.

“Revered figures like Guru Tegh Bahadur are rare in history. His life, character and sacrifice in resisting Mughal oppression continue to inspire generations. The government will continue to serve ‘Guru parampara’ with the same commitment,” the PM said while addressing a special programme here to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru.

Modi said just as Lord Krishna upheld the protection of truth and justice during the Mahabharata battle in Kurukshetra, Guru Tegh Bahadur defended the dharma of truth, justice and faith, and laid down his life for it. He said Operation Sindoor was a continuation of that legacy and signified the country’s resolve never to compromise on its security.

The PM termed his visit to Kurukshetra as a confluence of the country’s heritage. He said he hoisted the “dharma dhwaja” atop Ram Temple in ‘Ramayan ki Nagri’ Ayodhya in the morning and he was on ‘Gita ki Nagri’ Kurukshetra in the evening.

He said when the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram temple came on November 9, 2019, he had gone to Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab for the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor. “I was praying that the path for the construction of the Ram Temple should be paved and the aspirations of all Ram devotees should be fulfilled… Today again, I got the opportunity to take blessings from the Sikh Sangat,” he said.

The PM also unveiled the newly constructed ‘Panchjanya’ memorial dedicated to Lord Krishna’s conch in Jyotisar here. He also visited the ‘Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra’, an immersive experiential centre where installations depict significant episodes from the Mahabharata. Different themes, including Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Vedic Civilisation, 48-kos Kurukshetra and 18 days of Mahabharata battle, have been depicted here, highlighting the place’s cultural and spiritual significance. The PM joined ‘Maha Aarti’ at the holy Brahma Sarovar on the occasion of International Gita Mahotsav, which is being organised in Kurukshetra from November 15 to December 5. Modi also released a special coin, a commemorative stamp and a coffee table book to mark the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. On the occasion, he called upon the nation to launch a decisive battle against drug abuse by following the path shown by Guru Tegh Bahadur.

He said the sacred land of Kurukshetra was an important centre of Sikh tradition, and that almost all Gurus had visited this land during their holy journeys. “The tradition of our Gurus forms the foundation of the nation’s character, culture and core spirit,” he said. The PM said over the past 11 years, the government had established these sacred traditions and every Sikh event was being observed as a national festival. “Guru Sahib also taught us that we should neither frighten anyone nor live in fear of anyone. This fearlessness strengthens society and the nation, and today India too walks on this principle. While India desires peace, it never compromises on its security, with Operation Sindoor being the greatest example,” he added.

The event was attended by Haryana Governor Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh, CM Nayab Singh Saini, Union Ministers Manohar Lal, Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar, several state ministers, MPs and MLAs. The CM said the state government, in collaboration with the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, organised a series of initiatives to take the Guru’s teachings to every household.